THE PORT AUTHORITY OF NY & NJ

Press Release Article

PORT AUTHORITY COMMITS TO HELPING THE HOMELESS

The Port Authority recently awarded a two-year contract to Volunteers of America to provide outreach services to the homeless in PATH’s New Jersey stations.

Beginning December 1, Volunteers of America’s (VOA) outreach program will provide referrals to help those who are homeless find jobs, housing, meals, medical assistance, clothing and counseling.

“This contract continues the Port Authority’s commitment to helping those in need while providing the best possible service to our customers,” Port Authority Chairman Anthony R. Coscia said. He said VOA staff will conduct its outreach at the Journal Square Transportation Center, Exchange Place, Pavonia-Newport, Hoboken and Grove Street stations, which together serve about 109,000 PATH riders each day. VOA already provides outreach services at the New York PATH stations under a separate contract.

Port Authority Executive Director Joseph J. Seymour said, “Volunteers of America’s campaign will help those in need, and also create a pleasant environment for our patrons and members of the surrounding communities.”

PATH Director/General Manager Michael P. DePallo said, “VOA has had success working with the homeless at our New York PATH stations. We want them to bring that success to our New Jersey stations, so we can continue to help the homeless and provide them a second chance at life.”

Linda M. McNeil, acting President and CEO of Volunteers of America said, “Volunteers of America, the metropolitan area’s largest private provider of services to the homeless, is pleased to work with The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to provide our support services and outreach. For many years, we have worked closely with the Port Authority to ensure that homeless individuals have the resources and services they need to avoid living in public spaces. The PA’s compassionate commitment to these individuals will not only serve to improve their lives but can help them to leave homelessness behind for good.”

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey operates many of the busiest and most important transportation links in the region. They include John F. Kennedy International, Newark Liberty International, LaGuardia and Teterboro airports; AirTrain JFK and AirTrain Newark; the George Washington Bridge; the Lincoln and Holland tunnels; the three bridges between Staten Island and New Jersey; the PATH (Port Authority Trans-Hudson) rapid-transit rail system; the Port Authority-Downtown Manhattan Heliport; Port Newark; the Elizabeth-Port Authority Marine Terminal; the Howland Hook Marine Terminal on Staten Island; the Brooklyn Piers/Red Hook Container Terminal; and the Port Authority Bus Terminal in midtown Manhattan. The agency also owns the 16-acre World Trade Center site in Lower Manhattan.

The Port Authority is financially self-supporting and receives no tax revenue from either state.